Only people who never read (clearly not you, gentle reader) would need us to point out how silly that is. Still, the Syerses have already broken even on the self-published volume, which is being sold at real bookstores, including Texas Capitol Giftshops, Y'alls Texas Store, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Apparently, the Syerses had originally planned to write a book containing some sort of text. But then, says Brook Syers, "I came across these statistics in a bunch of different places…that people who buy books aren't reading." So the couple nixed that project and came up with the idea for a mockbook, which was surely an easier project to complete.
The choice of subject -- what little there is -- wasn't hard. "We have a room in our house with nothing but Texas stuff," says Syers. "Everybody knows how much we like the state. This was a good way to help everybody else celebrate that pride." And for all you people out there who would like to save time and improve your health, more mockbooks are on the way. For information, visit www.mockbooks.com. $7.95. -- Cathy Matusow
SAT 6/14
Cash Class
An economic slump makes people hold on to their cash. But sewing your bills
into your mattress is a risky venture -- after all, what if there's a fire?
At Leisure Learning Unlimited's Investing in an Uncertain Economy class, you
can learn about making your moola work for you in stocks, bonds, mutual funds,
commodities, real estate and precious metals. Maybe the instructors will persuade
you to purchase a few gold bars. At least you'll know they won't evaporate overnight
the way so many companies do these days. 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June
14. 2990 Richmond, suite 120. For information or to register, call 713-529-4414.
Free. -- Cathy Matusow
TUE 6/17
Knock Knock
So you think you're funny -- Mike Vance can help
If you're not funny, you're never gonna be funny. But if you've got some talent,
25-year comedy veteran Mike Vance can help you become a stand-up comedian. His
comedy class at the Laff Spot focuses on writing funny bits and developing timing
and technique. "I came there just to work on my segues, but he helped me with
some of my material," says recent student Ryan Sparks. Since most comics get
their start as emcees, host and emcee skills are also part of the comedy curriculum.
"I'm thinkin' in the next two months I can get an emcee job," says Sparks. If
nothing else, the class imparts confidence. 7 p.m. Tuesdays from June 17 through
August 26. The Laff Spot, Texas Highway 249 at FM 1960. For information, call
281-955-9200 or visit www.laffspot.com.
$425. -- Eric A.T. Dieckman
Being Frank
A beat photographer shares the work of his fans
Robert Frank's first book of photographs, The Americans, pierced
through the superficial optimism of the '50s to reveal a grainy world of cool
melancholy, inspiring Jack Kerouac to write that Frank "sucked a sad poem right
out of America onto film." Apparently, Frank also inspired several generations
of photographers to suck just as hard as he did. He has given the Museum of
Fine Arts, Houston nearly 200 photographs sent to him over the years. "For Robert:
Images Given to Robert Frank by Other Artists" shows the vast scope of his influence
on contemporary photography. Frank has personally arranged the groupings of
these images without identifying labels, so audiences can check them out before
finding out who the artists are. The exhibit runs through August 10 at the Caroline
Wiess Law Building, 1001 Bissonnet. For more information, call 713-639-7300
or visit www.mfah.org. $3.50 to $7 (free
on Thursdays). -- Keith Plocek
WED 6/18
Take Your Chances
Art aficionados can pick out works by well-known artists whether or not they
have signatures. But that doesn't mean they'll be taking the best works home
from "Blue Hawaii," the second annual Luck of the Draw DiverseWorks Summer Auction.
Guests can purchase $100 "Artwork Chances" that allow them to choose works of
art from a selection of almost 200. The key, though, is to draw a ticket that
lets you pick your painting early on. "There's definitely going to be a wide
range of works," says Gina Sonderegger of DiverseWorks, "from recognized artists
to people that are local and maybe aren't as well recognized." 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,
June 18. 1117 East Freeway. For information, call 713-223-8346. $25 admission.
Hawaiian dress encouraged. -- Cathy Matusow
